Machine for repairing knitted fabrics



I Feb. 2, '1932.

J. S. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 23, 1329 ATTORNEY i Feb. 2,' 1932. J. 5. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed April 25, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

J. 5. PECKER FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Feb. 2, 1932.

MACHINE 7 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed April 25, 1929 A TTORNE Y.

Feb. 2, 1932. J. 5. PECKER MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 25, 1929 ATTORNEY Feb. 2,1932. J. 5. PECKER 7 1,843,623

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed April 25, 1929 'T Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb} 2, 1932. .1. s. PECKER 1,843,623

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed April 25, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIIIII I Attorney.

Feb. 2,1932. J. 5. PECKER 1,843,623

MACHINE FOR REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Filed April '25, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. dbse lr Peclfez;

A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 2, H332 entree stares Parent OFFICE.

JOSEPH S. PECKER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PATENT DE- i VELOIEMENT 00., A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA MACHINE For. REPAIRING KNITTED FABRICS Application filed April 23, 192. Serial No. 357,425.-

The invention relates pairing knitted fabrics.

The object of the present invention is to 7 provide for repairing knittedfabrics a simt ple, practical and etficient machine of strong,

durable and comparatively inexpensive construction designed particularly for mending the ladder-like runs in silk stockings, and capable of enabling a sillcstocking to be readily placed in proper position to be operated on by a single needle and of securely holding the same in such position during the" repair operation and of simultaneously aiitomati cally advancing the needlealong therun to be mended so that the needle will operate sue" cessively on the said ladder-like runs and" reto a machine for repair the same in a manner similar to repair ing such runsby hand. I A. further object of the invention is to prov vide means for varying the feeding operation or movement of the needle longitudinally of a run to adapt the machine to the particular character of the stocking or other piece of knitted fabric to be repaired.

needle actuating mechanism to be disconnected from the feeding means to enable'the needle to be manually ad usted and readily that various changes in the form, proportion,

and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to with- 7, out departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a stocking mending machine constructed in accordance with this invention.

Another object of the invention is to pro v1de means for enabling the needle and arranged in proper position for operating Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Q

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, with parts removed to illustrate the construction for imparting a step by step movement to the spiral feed shaft.

Fig. l is a detailed sectional view illustrating the construction of the eccentric, the

connecting bar, and the clutch for actuating the spiral feed shaft.

Fig. 5 isa detailed end view of the adjust- Fig. is a detailed central longitudinal sectional View of the same.

Fig. 11 1s a transverse sectional view of a stationary form or-mandrel illustrating another form of mounting the pairs of levers. Fig. 12 is a detailed central longitudinal sectional view of the form or mandrel shown in Fig; 11.

Fig. 13 is an end View of the hollow slidabl-e head.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the hollow slidable head illustrating the cam actuated mechanism "for moving the needle bar upwardly. Y

Fig. 15 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the construction of the movable member of the nut of the spiral feed screw and the means for releasing the latter.

Fig. 16 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the hollow slida-ble head.

Fig. 17 is a detailed horizontal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary View ofthe machine illustrating the cam actuated meohanism for moving the needle bar upwardly and downwardly.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal sectional View through the cam actuating mechanism.

Fig. 20 is anenlarged detail fragmentary view illustrating the cam mechanism when the cam is thrown to its downward position as distinguished from the upward position shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 21 illustrates a rear elevation of the cam actuating mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the machine for repairing knitted fabrics comprises in its construction a verticallyreciprocating needle bar 1 mounted in a hollow head 2 and guided in aligned ver tical openings 3 and l in the top and bottom walls or portions of the hollow head, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings.- The hollow head, which is disposed transversely of the machine, is slidable longitudinally thereof to carry or feed the needle 5 of the needle'b'ar along the run of the stocking to be repaired. The needle 5 is secured in socket hr the lower end of the needle bar 1 by means of a set screw 6 which clamps the needle tothe needle bar. The hollow head is approximately L-shaped, as shown, and itissupported and guided in itssliding movement longitudinally of the machine by means ofan upper rod 7, a central longitudinal shaft 8-, and shafts 11 and 12 located at the bottom portion of the head. The said rod 7 and shafts extend longitudinally of the framework-of the-machine and connect end frames 13 and 14, which are mounted upon a suitable baseortable 15. The base 15' and the end frames 13 and 14 constitute the framework of the machine. he connecting rod 7, which is located at thetop of the framework of themachine, issecured in suitable openings of the end frames 13 and 14, by means of set screws 16. The horizontal rod 7 rigidly connects the upper portions of the end frames,

. which are, rigidly secured at their lower portions to the table or base,whereby a rigid framework for the machine is provided. The shaft'S is journaled in suitable bearings 17 and 18'of the end frames 13 and 14, the bearings 1'7 and 18 being preferably provided with bushings, as shown, and the said shaft 8 is provided with a longitudinal groove 15) in whichslides a key 20 of a cam 21 carried by the slidable head and movable with the same for actuating the needle bar. The cam is provided with a cam groove 22 which operates a roller 23 of a lever 24 fulcrumedon a rod or pivot 25 carried on the slidable head. The

lever 24L is approximately L-shaped and has I a forwardly extending arm which is provide'd a-t'its outer end with a 'ecess 26' formed in the upper face of the arm of the lover and receiving a projecting pin 27 of the needle bar, whereby the lever 2st when actuated by the cam 21 will engage the pin 27 beneath the same and positively move the needle bar upwardly, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 14; of the drawings.

The needle bar is provided with a horizontally projecting arm 28 which is engaged by a coiled spring 29 for yieldably moving the needle bar downwardly. The coiled spring is arranged on an adjusting screw 30 and is interposed between the horizontal arm 28 and the upper wall of the chamber of the hollow head, and the said screw 30, which is threaded into the top of the hollow head, is provided at its lower end with a suitable stop 31 preferably in the form of ahead or collar for limiting the-downward movement of the needle. The screw 30 is adjustable in the threaded opening in the top of the hollow head to arrange the needle bar stop 31 at the desired elevation. The collar or head 31 will limit the downward movement of the needle bar and the coiled spring '29, which a-ctuat'es the needle bar in such downwardmovement, will permit the needlebar to be limited in its downward movement; Bythis construction the reciprocation of the needle barand the needle may be adjusted to suit the character of the stocking or other knittedfabric to be repaired. When the shaft 8 is rotated the cam 21, which is slidably interlocked with the groove 19 will also be rotated and will actuate the needle bar in the upward movement of its reciprocation while the-coiled spring 29will actuate theneedl'ebarand the needle inthe downward movement. ofits re ciprocation. q

The shaft 8 is extended beyond the end. frame 14 and has secured to it at this end of the machine a grooved pulley 32 which is connected'by a suitable belt 33with apulley of an electric motor or. other suitable source of power. The shaft 8 is provided at its other end with a combined hand. wheel and fly wheel 34, by means of which the needle may be manually adjusted in applying the same to the stocking orother knitted fabric to be repaired.

The needle is provided at its lower end with a hook 35, and it has a swinging latch 36 pivoted at 37 abovethe-hoolr. When the pivoted latch 36 is open it exposes the hook 35, and when the latch is closed it covers the throat or openingleading into the hook and forms an eye, The last perfect loop of the fabric is placed in the hook 35, and as the needle descends the loop slides upwardly on the shank of the needle, opening the latch and moving up on the needle until the latch 36 is released. Thelatch when released drops. by gravity and falls over the next cross thread in. the broken fabric. mains on the shank of the needle and as the needle rises the hook 35 catches the thread and the latch closes over the hook, forming an eye and enclosing and confining the thread. The thread is then pulled through the loop, forming another loop, and this process is continued until all of the cross threads are looped through the fabric.

The slidalole head and the needle are fed forward during the said operation of repair- The loop re- 1 ing the runin. the said fabric, by feeding mechanism comprisng the shaft 11 located at the lower portion of the slidable head near the center of the same and provided with a spiralgroove 41 which is engaged by a piv oted member 42 of a nut carried by the said lower portion of the slidable head. The nut is formed by a substantially semi-cylindrical recess 43 in .the bottom of the slidable head,

and the pivoted member 42, whichis also provided with a substantially semi-cylindrical recess 44, has a flange 45 forming a partial thread and engaging in the spiral groove 41 at the bottom of the shaft 11, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the shaft 11 is intermittently rotated by the means hereinafer described, the slidable headjwill be moved forwardly with a step by step move ment.x The nut member, which extends swung downwardly out of engagement with the spirally groovedshaft 11 by means of an arm 49 carried by the slidable head and slida-' .bly interlocked by a key 50 with the shaft 12,

which isprovided witha longitudinal groove 51. The groove 51.of the shaft 12 receives the key 50 of the arm 49, which has a bifurcated outer portion 52. The bifurcated outer portion 52 straddles the coiled spring 47 and is provided with alower cam face arranged to engage the hinged nut member 42 when the arm 49 is swung downwardly by the movement ofthe shaft 12. This will disengage the slidable head from the spirally grooved shaft 11 and permit the said head .to slide freely along the shaft 11 and the rods 7 and 12 for enabling the slidable head and the needle to be manually adjusted to arrangethe needle in proper position with relation to the run to be repaired, and also for the purpose of en-.

abling the slidable head and the needle to be automatically returned to the initial positionby a spring actuated reel 53 which is connected with the slidable head by awire 54 or other suitable flexible connection. The reel 53 is mounted on a suitable pin'or pivot 55 on the lower portion of the end frame 14, and the wire 54 extends upwardly from-the reel to a guide wheel or pulley56 mounted on the upper portion of the end frame 14. The wire 54 extends from the guide wheel 56 to the slidable head, and is secured to the same by meansofan eye 57 or-other suitable attaching means. The spring actuated, reel may be of any desired construction, and the spring of the reel is under tension, and isdesigned to be sufficiently strong to return thehead to its initial position. The end frame 14 is equipped with a spring bumper 58 for relieving the machine of jar when the slidable head is ai'itomatically carried toits initial position by" the spring actuated reel. The spring bumper 58 is shown as a horizontal disposed coiled spring mounted on the end frame 24, p

but any other suitable. cushioning means may, of course, be employed for rellevlng the machine of and shock when the slidable head. is automatically returned to its initial position. I

Thespir'ally' grooved feeding shaftll, is journaled'in suitable bearings 59 and 60 of theend frames 13 and 14, and thesaid bearings are preferably provided with bushings, as shown, but any other suitable form of bearings may,'of course, be provided forthesaid shafts of the machine. One end of the spirally groovedshaft 11 is extended beyondthe j framework of the machine and has a terminal bearing portion 61which ismounted in a suitable bearing 62 of a casing 63mounted upon the end frame 24 at the exterior thereof, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the draw-1 ings. The casing-contains the mechanism for transmitting a step by stepmovement from the shaft 8 to the spirally grooved shaft 11-. This mechanism comprises in its constr e-- tion an eccentric 64 mounted on'the shaft 8 and connected with andactuating oneend ofa reciprocating connecting bar 65 which extends downwardlyto and is adjustably connected with an oscillatory clutch operating arm 66. The clutch operating arm'66,

which extends upwardly from the shaft 11 at an inclination, is preferably tapered upwardly as shown, and is provided at its lower enlarged end 67 with an opening receiving a clutch collar 68 secured to theshaft llby a key 69, but any other suitable means may, of course, beemployed for fixing the clutch collar 68 to the spirally grooved shaft 11.

The enlarged end of the oscillatory clutch operating arm 66 is provided with an annular series'of interior recesses 70 in which are mounted rollers 71 adapted to bind against the, walls of the recesses 70 and the clutch collar 68 when the operating'arm or'lever 66 is moved downwardly by the eccentric bar 65. The downward movement'of the'clutch lever carries the rollers 71' toward the re- 1 duced ends of the recesses, and the w'alls' of the said recesses, which are arranged'atan angle to the periphery of the clutch collar, cause the rollers to bewedge'd between said walls and the clutch collar, wherebythe lever 66 is clutched to'the collar and the shaft, and is adapted to partially rotate the spirally grooved shaft '11 during each downward movement of the clutch lever 66. Therollers are released during the upward movement of the clutch member, and the spirally grooved shaft". remains stationary during such movement;

The amount of. rotary movement of, the

spiralfeed; shaft, andathe, consequent feed of the slidable head, is controlled by an adjustable connectionbetween the lower end of the connecting bar and the operating arm 66. The lower end: of. the bar 65 is pivoted-to the clutch: operating lever by a suitable pin or I pivot-."Z2,,which-ismounted on and carried by az'sl'ide 7:3 guided ina slot or bifurcation 7410f the upper end of the clutch lever and actuated by an adjusting screw 74 mounted inv suitable: bearings '25 of the clutch lever and extendi'ngrthrough a threaded opening 76. The slide is moved longitudinally by theadjzusting screw to limit the amount of movement imparted to the clutch by the action of the eccentric. The slide is suitably guided in; the slot or bifurcation preferably by' being; arranged in overlapping relation \vit'lrthe: same, and a suitable lock nut 77v is mountedaonthe adjusting screw for securing the SlddGlIlIl'tS- adjustment. When the motor orothersource-of power isoperated and the shaft 8 rotated, the needle bar will be reciprocated and the feeding: mechanism will be sinn'iltaneously opcrated'to movethe slidable head along; the run tov be; repaired with a step bystep movement, which may be variedto suit the'chara'cter of the fabric and the distance between thethrcad-s of the ladder-like run.

The stockingto be repairedis supported on a; stationary form 78 consisting of a relativsely' longftapering arm preferably formed integral; with: a; standard 79- suitably secured to tlie: base; or table- '15 and rigidly holding the stocking receivingfm-m in. position be-- neathlthe outer portion of the slidablehead which. extendsover the-form and which is movable longitudinally thereof, as clearly shownin Fig; 1 ofthe-drawings- The form, which may be: constructed. of wood or any other suitable material, provided with a, longitudinal recess 80111 which are mounted opposite. rowsof' pivoted. levers 81 having projecting; upper terminals 82 yieldably maintained in contact with each other, as clearly illustrated" in Fig. 9 o-f'the drawings,

' means of coiled-springs The levers 81,

whichare pivoted or, fulcrumed intermediate of: their ends at 84,,have lower parallel vertica-Larms and upper inclined converging arms andtl l-eir projecting terminals form a toothed gauge andareadapted tobe introduced be-- tween the threads of a. ladder-like run for maintaining the threads of the said. ladderlike in proper position to be operated on by the vertically reciprocating needle for repairingthe run by looping the threads togcther,. as heretofore-explained. I The levers 8.1. are arranged in pairs, the members of each pair being disposed opposite. each. other as shown, and. in Fig. 90f the drawings the 65 form is equipped at the opposite walls ofthc nstesgeaai recess, with bearing plates having bean ings formed by longitudinal grooves and receiving segmental lugs 86. vThe segmental lugsfit in the bearing grooves,.but they may 7 be mounted on horizontal pintlerods 87, as

illustrated in Fig. 11 of thedrawings.v The coiled spring 83 of each pair is disposed horizontally and extends across the spacebetween' with a central longitudinal slot QO'thrOugh.

which the upper terminals-82 of the levers project. Instead of employing springs. for

yieldably maintaining theupper ends of the.

levers8l' normally in contact witlieach other, a rubber 91 may be interposed between the lower arms of the lever, as illustrated. in Flg.

11 of the drawings, but'any other elastic or yieldable means for maintaining the upper ends of the levers normally in contact with G each other and for: permitting-the upper ends of the lovers to be separated by the'needle in the downward movement thereof.

The needle bar is adapted to be raised toan.

elevated position and held elevated when desired by means of a cam lever 92consisting of a cam head and an operating arm andipivoted to the needle bar at the upper portion thereof by a suitable pin or pivot 93. The cam lever is adapted to have its operating arm swung downwardly to the position illustrated in Fig.

of the drawings to elevate the needlebar and the needle, and the pressure upon the head of the cam lever will'prevent the lever: from accidentally moving from such position and enable the lever to hold the needle elevated. The 'cam lever is adapted to be swung upwardly out of engagement with. the

slidable head to a non-supporting position, and it is maintained in such non-supporting position by a suitable locking device, preferably consisting of a spring actuated ball 9 1 operating in a transverse socket or opening 95 in the needle bar, and yieldingly pressed outwardlyby a coiled spring 96, and adapted to automatically engage a recess or concavity 97 formed in the inner face of the head ofthe cam lever. The recess 97' is brought into'i'eg ister with the transverse opening '95 of' the needle bar when the cam lever is swung to its non-supporting position, and the engagement of the spring actuated ball with the cam lever is sufficient toprevent accidental movement ofthe latter and'at the same time the spring-actuated ball will permit the cam lever tobe readily swung out of engagement with it when it is desired to move the cam lever to its I supporting position. If desired, a depression may also be providedfor engage-.

ment with the spring actuated ball when the cam lever is in its supporting position, and

any other suitable locking device may, of

course,v be employed for holding the cam lever against accidental movement when in its supv portinoor non-supporting position.

The stocking to be repaired is held on the form in proper position with relation to'the reciprocating needle by means of a foot 98 consisting of a plate extending horizontally from a stem 99 and having an upwardly curved terminal portion 100 extending in the direction of the movement of the slidable head in the feeding operation thereof, and .adapted to pass over thestocking at oppo site sides of the portion to be repaired and provided with an opening 101 for the passage of the needle and for exposing the threads of the ladder-like run to the operation of the needle. The stem 99 of the foot passes through a vertical opening 102 of the slidable head and at its iower portion below the head is curved at 103, the curved portion eXtending downwardly and forwardly in the direction of the needle, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The foot is adapted'to be lifted out of the way to permit astocking to be placed on and removed from the form and itis provided I intermediate of-the ends of its stem with a projection 10 1 consisting of a pin or stud and extending into a slot 105 of an arm 106 of an angle operating lever 107 They angle operating lever 10? is pivoted at its angle to the exterior of the slidable head bynieans of a suitable pin or pivot 108, and it is provided with a'suitable operating handle. 109 adapted to bereadily grasped by the operator for swinging the angle lever and elevating the I foot. The weight of the operating arm of the lever is sufiicient to maintain the foot in an elevated position, and when the operating arm of the angle lever'is swung upwardly to lower the foot into ooerat-ive 'UlClZlH nosir l? h 1.

tion, the said operating arm is arranged su stantially in a perpendicular position so that the weight of the foot and its stem will prevent any accidental movement of the operating lever of the foot. The foot is also provided in its lower face with a groove 110 i to enable it to straddle the toothed gauge formed by the projecting terminals of the levers 81. The groove or channel in the lower face ofthe foot intersects the slot or opening 101 for the passage of the needle, and in l practice the slot or opening of the foot may extend from the curved end to the stem, forming a foot of two side portions connected at their rear ends by the stem which is grooved or slotted to provide the necessary clearance for the projecting terminals of the matically closed by levers 81. The machine is also provided at rotating the shaft 12 tosWiiig the arm: 49 downwardly for-opening the nut member 42 and disengaging the nut from thespirally grooved shaftll. When the operating arm or lever 111 is swung in the, opposite direction to raise the arm 49, the nut will be auto- 7 the spring 47.

What Tclaiin is z" s I a v 1. i'i-niachi ezfor mending runsin fabrics including 'a vertically reciprocating needle, means for operating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in thefabric to close the run, and means for carrying the needle along the i'run for successive operation on the threads thereof.

2. A machine for mending runs in fabric s includinga vertically reciprocat ng needle,

means for'operating the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the-fabric'to close the run, and means for carrying the needle along the run by a step by step movement for en including a; form'provided with means for. I supporting a fabric in a relatively stationary position, a vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run for closing the same, and means for carrying the needle horizontally along the form with an intermittent feeding movement to enable the needle to operate on the-successive threads of-a run. 5'. A machine for mending runs in fabrics inchidin a form adapted toreceive, and support the rabric and provided with projecting means arranged to hold the threads of the fabric in position'for repairing a run, a-needle reciprocating vertically above theform and provided with means for manipulating the threadsof th fabricfor closing run, and means for carrying the needle to different positionsover the form for operating on the successive threads of a run. 7 a

6. A machine for mending runs in fabrics,

incli'uling an operating needle, and means co- 7 A machine for mending runs in fabr'cs,

arranged in pairs and adapted to be separated by the needle to afford a passage for the same.

8. A machine for mending runs in fabrics, including an operating needle, and means cooperating With the needle to manipulate the'threads of a run in the fabric to close therun, saie means comprising a toothed gauge composed of levers arranged in pairs andyieldably mounted, said levers being provrded with project ng portions adapted to receive the ladder-like threadsof a run and capable of being separated by the needle to permit the passage of the same betvveenthe levers. I

A machine for mending runs in fabrics, including an operating needle, and means cooperating with the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the run, said means comprising a toothed gauge composed of levers arranged in pairs and fulcrumed intermediate of their ends and having projecting outer portions adapted to eXte'nd betiveenthe threats of a run, and yield'able means operating on the inner portions of the lever and adapted to permit the outer portions to be separated by the needle. 10. A machine for mending runs in fabrics, including an operating needle, and means cooperating with the needle to manipulate the t-h'r'eads of a run in the fabric to close the run, said means com-prising a toothed contacting outer portions, and yleldable means interposed between the inner portions ofthe lever and adapted to permit the outer portions to be separated by the needle.

11. Amachihe for mending runs in fabrics including an operating needle, and means cooperating With the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the same, said means comprising a form adapted to receive the fabric and a toothed gauge carried the form and composed of levers ar ranged in pairs and yield ably mounted Within the form and having projectin outer portions arranged to extend between the threads of the run and adapted to be separated by the needle. i i v 12. A machine for mending: runs in fabrics including an operating needle, and means cooperating with the needle to manipulate the threads of a run in the fabric to close the same, said means comp 'sing stationary form adapted to receive a stocking and provided with. a toothed gauge extending longitudinally of the form and composed of levers yieldably mounted Withm the form and hav-- mg pro ecting outer portions ex'tendmg between the threads of the run and adapted to be separated by the needle, and means for carrying the needle along the gauge for operating on the successive threads of the run;

13. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a stationary form consisting of a projectingarm and a supporting portion arranged at one end of the arm, said arm being adapted to receive a stocking to be repaired, means carried by the arm for holding the threads in position, a vertically. reciprocating needle provided With means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, and means for carrying the needle along the form for enabling the needie to operate on the successive threads of the run.- I V v '14-. A machine formendin'g fabrics including a stationary form adapted toreceive the fabric to be repaired, a head slidably mounted to move to diffe form, a needle carried by the head for vertical reciprocation therein and provided with means for manipulating the threadsof the fabric to close a run in the same, mechanism for vertically actuating the needle carried by the said head, and means for operating the said mechanism. y

15. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a stationary form adapted to support the fabric to berepa-i-red, a supporting frame, a head slidably mounted. on the frai'ne and movable over the form, a needle carr ed by the head for vertical reciprocation therein and provided with means for maniprlating the threads of a run for. closing the after, a rotating shaft mounted on theframe, and mechanism mounted on the slidable head for operating the needle, said mechanism comprising a cam slidably interlocked with the shaft and actuated by the same.

16. A n'iachine for mending runs in fab loiincluding a stationary form adapted to port the fabric to be repaired, a supportframe, a head slidably mounted on the raine and movable over the form, a needle ed by the head for vertical reciprocation thereinand provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run for. closing; the latter, a rotating shaft mounted on frame, a lever fulcrumed on the head for actuating the needle, and a cam slidably loch-ed with the shaft and cooperating 1 the lever for operating the same.

17. A machine for mei'idin-g runs in fabr1cs including. a frame, ahead slida-bly mounted on the frame, a needle carried by the head for vertical reciprocation therein and provided with means for n'ianipulating the threads of a run to close the latter, a rotating shaft journaled on the frame, and n'lechanisni carried. by the slidable head for 'fIf'GlIl', positions over the gage the needle bar and-:movethe same in one direction, yieldable means' for moving the needle in the opposite direction, and .a cam slidably interlocked with the shaft and connected with and operating the'lever.

19. A machine fo mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably mounted on the frame, a reciprocating nee- I dle bar carried by the head, a rotating shaft journaled on the frame, and mechanism carried by the slidable head for reciprocating the needle bar and comprising a cam slidably interlocked with the shaft and rotating the same and provided with a cam groove, a lever fulcrumed at an intermediate point and provided at one end with means operating in the groove of the cam, the other end of the lever being arranged to move the needle bar in one direction, and yielda-ble means for moving the needle bar in the opposite direction. v a

20. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a stationary form adapted to'support the fabric to berepaired, a head slidably mounted on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run for closing the latter, mechanism for operating the needle also carried by the head, and a foot mounted on the head and movable with the same over the said form for retaining the fabric in position'to be operated upon by the needle. '21." A machine for mending runs in fabrlcs including a frame, astationary form adapted to support the fabric to be repaired, a head slidably mounted on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried bythe head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run for closing the latter, mechanism for operating the needle also carried by the head, a foot mounted on the head and 'movable with the same over the said form forretaining the fabric in position to be operated upon bythe needle, and manually operablelmeans mounted on the head for raising and lowering the foot. 7 j l 22. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a stationaryfor-m adapted to support the fabric: to bere'paired, a head slida reciprocating needle carried by: the head and 1y mounted on the frame, a vertically provided with means for'lmanipulatingthe I threads of a runfor closing the latter,mechanism for operating the needle also carried bythe head, a foot cooperating with the needle and provided with a stem mounted for vertical movement on the head for lowering the f foot to the form and raising it therefrom, and

a manually operable lever'carried by the head and connected with the stem of the foot-for raising and lowering the latter.

23. A machine for. mending runs in fabrics including a frame, ahead slidably mounted -on the frame, a vertically reclprocatmg needle 'carried by thehead and provided with meansfor manipulating thethreads of arun to closethe same, a'shaft mounted on-the frame and having-spiral feeding, means car rled with the head for moving the same. along the frame, and means for intermittently imparting a partial'rotation to the said shaft.

- 24; A machine for mending: runs in fabrics; including a frame, a head slidably-mounted on the frame, a vertically reciprocating nee- .dle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating thethreads of arun to close the same, a shaft mounted on the frame and having spiral feedin-g means carried with the head for moving the same along the frame, and means for intermittently imparting a partial rotation tothe said shaft, said means comprising an oscillating clutch lever, a clutch connecting the lever with the said shaft and adapted to actuate the shaft when the lever is moved in one direction, and means for oscillating the saidlever.

' 25. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably mounted on the frame, avertically reciprocating needle carried by the head andprovided with,

means for manipulating the threads of a run to close -the same,a shaft mounted on, the

frame and, having spiral feeding'means car ried with the head for moving the same along the frame, and means for intermittently imparting a partial rotation to the said shaft, said means comprising an oscillating clutch lever, a clutch connecting the lever with the said, shaft and adapted to actuate the shaft when the lever ismoved in-onedirectiomand aneccentrlc hav ng an eccentric rod connect ed with the clutch lever for oscillating the latter.. r

26. A machine for mendingruns in fabrics including a frame, a. head slidably mounted on the frame, a needle carried by the head and provided with meansfor manipulating the threads ofia run to close the same, a shaft mounted on the frame and having spiral feeding means carried with the head for moving the same along the' frame, and means for intermittently imparting a partial rotation tothe said shaft, said means'comprising an oscillating clutch lever, a clutch connecting It-he lever with-the said shaft-and adapted to actuatethe shaft when the'lever is moved 111 one direction, an eccentric having an tocentric rod pivotally connected with the clutch 'Ilever for actuating the latter, and

"means for moving the pivot of the connecting rod longitudinally of the lever to vary the-amount -o'f rotary movement imparted to :the saidshaft byleachoperation of the clutch levein 27. A m'achine for mending .runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably mounted on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and-provided with means for manipulating'the threads of a run to-close the same, a shaft mounted on the frame and having a spiral feeding portion,

a nut for connecting the slidable head with the said shaft for-movingthe head along the shaft, and manually operable means for disengaging the nut from the shaft to permit free movement of the head. I y

'28. A machine for mending runs in fabries including a frame, a head slidably mounted on the'frame, a vertically reciprocatingneedle carried by the head and provided With means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, a shaft mounted onfthe frame and having a spiral feeding portion, a nut for connecting the "slidablahead withthe said-shaft for moving the head along'the-shaft, meansfo'rdisconnecting the head from the shaft, and means for automatically moving the headalong the their to return the head to its initial position.

29. Agmachine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably mounted'on the frame, aneedle carried 'by "the head and provided'with means for maa-ble means connectedwith 'the flexible connect-ion "for actuating the head. i

30. Amachinefor mending runs in fabrics includinglaframe, ahead slidably mounted -on LtheL-frame, a needle carried by the head z and ,provided with means for manipulating; thelthreads ofa run to close the same,.a shaft mounted onzthe frame and having a spiral feeding portion, a nut for connecting the slidable head with the said. shaft for moving vthe headralong the shaft,means for disconnesting the head from the shaft, and means for-automatically moving the head-a lo the.

shaft to return the head-to its initial position, said "means including a flexible i connec- :tion'eattac'hedfto lthefhead and guided on the frame and a spring actuated reel connected "with the flexible connection.

31. A machine for mendingruns in fabrics 1nclu'd1ng a frame, a head slidably mounted on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to closethe same, a shaft mounted on theframe and having a spiral feeding portion, a nut for connecting the. slidable head with thesaid shaft for moving the head along the, shaft, an operating shaft having a manually operable device, and an arm carried by the head and slidably connected with the operating shaft and arranged to disengage the nut from the said s iral feedin ortion.'

32. A machine for mend ng runs 1n fabrics including a frame, a head slidably mounted on-the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, a feeding shaft having a spiral feeding portion, a nut carried by the head and having a hinged member engaging the spiral portion of the feeding shaft, and yieldable means for holding thehinged nut member in engagement with the said shaft.

I A machinefor -1ne11ding runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slldably mounted on the frame, a verticallyreciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, a feeding shaft having a spiral feeding portion, a nut carried by the head and having a hinged'member engaging the spiral portion of the feedingshaft, yieldable means for holding thehinged nut member in engagement with the said shaft, an operating-shaft mounted on the frame and pro'vi'ded withan opera-tin device, and an arm slidably inter-' locked with the operating shaft and arranged to engage-the hinged nut member for disconnecting thehead from the feeding shaft.

34. A machine for mendingrunsin fabricsincluding a frame, a head 'shdable on the frame, a vertically reciprocatingneedle carried by the head and provided with means ice for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, mechanism also carried by the head=for operating'the needle, a continuously rotatedpower shaft journaled on the frame and connected w th and actuating the needle operating mechanism, an intermittently rotated-feeding shaft connecte'dwithfthe head for sliding the same along the frame, and mechanism for transmitting motion from the continuously rotating power-shaft to the intermittently rotated. feed shaft. 7

35. A machine for mend ng runs in for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same,mechan1sm also carried by the fabrics including a frame=,:a-head slidablei on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle cali'ied by the head and provided with means head for operating the needle, a continuously rotated power shaft journaled on the frame and connected with and actuating the needle operating mechanism, an intermittently rotated feeding shaft connected with the head for sliding the same along the frame, and mechanism for transmitting motion from the continuously rotating power shaft to the intermittently rotated feed shaft, the latter mechanism including an eccentric mounted on the power shaft, an oscillating lever actuated by the eccentric, and means for transmitting motion from the lever to the intermittently rotated shaft during the movement of the lever in one direction only.

36. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidable on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, mechanism also carried by the head for operating the needle, a continuously rotated power shaft journaled on the frame and connected with and actuating the needle operating mechanism, an intermittently rotated feeding shaft connected with the head for sliding the same along the frame, and mechanism for transmitting motion from the continuously rotating power shaft to the intermittently rotated feed shaft, the latter mechanism including an eccentric mounted on the power shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the intermittently rotated shaft and connected with and oscillated by the eccentric, and means for transmitting motion from the lever to the intermittently rotated shaft during the movement of the lever in one direction only.

37. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidable along the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run and closing the latter, a continuously rotating power shaft, mechanism carried by the head and sl dably interlocked with the power shaft for operating the needle, a feed shaft journaled on the frame and having a spiral feeding portion, a nut carried by the head and engaging the spiral feeding portion of the shaft, and means for transmitting an intermittent rotary movement from the power shaft to the feeding shaft, comprising an eccentric element mounted on the power shaft, an oscillating lever actuated by the eccentric, and means actuated by the lever for rotating the feed shaft during the movement of the lever in one direction only.

38. In a machine for mending runs in fabrics, including an operating needle, and means cooperating with the needle to manipulate the threads of arun in the fabric to close the run, said means comprising projections arranged in pairs, and means for maintaining said projections in normal position and vyet permitseparation of the same by the neeon the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close-the same, positive means for sliding the head on the frame, means for automatically moving the head along the shaft to return the head to its initial position, means for actuating the last named means, and cushioning means for engagement by the head for relieving the machine of shock when the head is automatically returned to its initial position.

40. A device of the class described comprising a relatively long hollow form for the support of a relatively long stretch of the stocking to be mended and provided with a relatively long narrow longitudinally disposed slot for the passage of a needle operable through the fabric of the stocking and projecting into said slot, whereby to operate upon along run in the stocking without shifting the stocking on the form, and pivotal members arranged 1n pairs within the hollow form and projecting outwardly through said slot and yieldably maintained in normal position and adapted to be separated by the needle to afford a passage for the needle. I

41. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably movable on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, the head being slidable along the run in a definite path thereover to present the needle to the run to successively operate on the threads thereof.

42. A machine for mending runs in fabrics including a frame, a head slidably movable on the frame, a vertically reciprocating needle carried by the head and provided with means for manipulating the threads of a run to close the same, the head being slidable along the run in a definite path thereover to present the needle to the run to successively operate on the threads thereof, and means for automatically returning the head to its initial position.

43. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination comprising a fixed spacer bar having teeth thereon for supporting the transverse threads of a run in knitted or similar fabrics, a vertically reciprocable needle supported over the spacer bar and means for moving the needle bar along the spacer bar and for vertically oscillating the needle bar.

- 44;. In an apparatus of the type described, the combination comprising a support, a rotatable shaft in said support, a threaded r0- tatable shaft in said support, a head slidingly mounted on said first shaft and engaging said threaded shaft, a vertically movable nee,- dle bar in said head, means for rotating said threaded shaft from said first shaft, fixed spacer bars attached to said support having teeth on their upper edges and means actuated by said rotatable shaft and connected to said needle bar for oscillating it. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of April, -1929.-

JOSEPH S. PECKER. 

